A New Year at St. Ann's Child Care Center

This week we welcomed 45 little faces back to our Child Care Center. Excitement filled the halls once again as the children entered their rooms and got a first look at their names on their cubbies for the year. Friends are reuniting and new friendships are beginning as we enter the fall season.

This year the Child Care Center, now 35 years old, has incorporated the Early Head Start program for children 0-36 months. With this program, we will provide intensive, comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income families in the DMV area. We will grow and enhance our Center to promote physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of our infants and toddlers.

Aligned with our mission to serve the most vulnerable families, Early Head Start has allowed our Child Care Center to expand. We currently have 13 children enrolled in the Early Head Start program and we anticipate that we will bring in many more.

According to a family budget calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute, parents in the DC area spend on average $22,658 a year (more than $1,800 a month) to send an infant to a child care center. Barbara Dubik, Director of the Child Care Center, said, “It is part of our strategic plan to provide affordable child care for our families in residence. Our goal is to expand the Center and incorporate Head Start for children 3-5 years of age.” 

Early Head Start has provided valuable resources and equipment for the Child Care Center. Staff is receiving support and training to further develop the current curriculum. Our goal is to continue providing quality care while preparing the children for eventual success in school.